Exposure to air pollution while pregnant could have a serious impact on your baby’s IQ.

A new study published in Pediatrics has shown, for the first, time, that air pollution exposure before birth may lead to lower IQ scores in childhood. The finding suggests that air pollution may be hazardous for developing babies’ brains.

The study involved 249 children born to women living in New York City. The women wore backpack air monitors for 48 hours during the last months of pregnancy and had various exposures to typical air pollution from car, bus and truck exhaust.

When the children reached age 5 they were then given IQ tests (before starting school). It turned out that those exposed to the most pollution in the form of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) before birth scored four to five points lower than children with less exposure -- enough of a decline to impact their performance in school.

The finding was so concerning that Patrick Breysse, an environmental health specialist at Johns Hopkins' school of public health, told the Associated Press the study suggests exposure to air pollution before birth could have similar harmful effects on the developing brain as exposure to lead.

Previous studies done by the same research team have also linked prenatal exposure to air pollution to:

Most commonly, PAHs are released into the air when fossil fuels, gasoline and garbage are burned, and as such perhaps the most common route of exposure to these chemicals is by breathing contaminated air.

PAHs exist in cigarette smoke, wood smoke, vehicle exhaust, diesel exhaust and asphalt roads, as well as in the air of industrial coking, coal-tar and asphalt production facilities, along with trash-incinerating facilities.

Because of this, air in urban areas may have PAH levels 10 times higher than those in rural areas.

PAHs are not only found in heavy traffic areas, however. They are also created when meats are barbecued, smoked or charbroiled. Other foods, including roasted coffee, roasted peanuts, refined vegetable oils and any food grown in PAH-contaminated soil (such as near a hazardous waste site) may also contain the chemicals, as can processed and pickled foods.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons can also contaminate soil and water supplies, and certain areas in the United States have shown low-level PAHs in their water. The compounds are so widespread that simply coming into contact with air, water or soil around a hazardous waste site can increase your exposure.

Finally, PAHs are used in certain cosmetics, shampoos and hair dyes (anything that contains coal tar), and you may absorb some of the chemicals if you use these products. They're also present in certain household products, including creosote-treated wood and mothballs.

Exposure to PAHs has previously been linked to cancer, cataracts, kidney and liver damage and other diseases.

10 Steps to Reduce Your PAH Exposure

Air pollution, including PAHs, are ubiquitous in the environment but there are steps you can take to cut your exposure, especially if you are pregnant or have small children.

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It’s a sad fact that air pollution is now a concern for nearly all of us. But the good news is a bit of prevention, including keeping house dust to a minimum and filtering your home’s air, can help to keep you and your family healthy.